Chapter Thirty-Three
Grace
When the car pulled up in front of the house, I descended the stairs dressed in a blue sheath and nude heels that were meant for Chicago and I yelled for Danny to go get my suitcase. I ducked into Adam's room and closed the door.
"Whoa, you look totally different when you're dressed as a city girl," he said smiling as I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him into a deep kiss.
"I'll take that as a compliment," I said leaning back and looking up at him. He smiled and nodded as he brushed the hair away from my face.
"It's a little jarring after being used to seeing you in your Amish dresses, but no matter how you slice it, you're a beautiful woman," he said before kissing me again. I felt my stomach flip at the compliment, and I kissed him a little harder in response.
"I should be back in the city by lunch, but I'm not sure how much time I'm going to have as I try to sort out the financials for Mike," I said looking at my watch. "You've got my number, so call me if you need anything."
"We won't," he said tracing my lower lip with his thumb. "You take care of business in Chicago, and we'll get all the pieces in place to do the sales pitch when you get back next week."
"Are you sure you can be away that long?" I said feeling concerned about his absence from his business partner. "I mean, weren't you supposed to be back after a couple of days?"
"It's fine, Grace," he said rolling his eyes. "I'm my own boss, and you don't have to worry about me. Besides, I still have to collect the Mustang and drive it back to Chicago."
"You could ride back to the city with me and have someone else drive the car back," I suggested, not wanting to let go of him. "Then we could drive back down together next week."
"Grace, someone needs to stay here and put the pieces in place," he said as his smile grew wider. He bent down and whispered into my lips, "Besides, it wouldn't be right for you to arrive at work mussed after three hours of backseat making out and groping."
"You are incorrigible!" I laughed as I kissed him quickly and snuck a glance at my watch. "I need to get going if I'm going to make it to the office on time!"
"Then go! No one is keeping you here!" he laughed as he swatted my backside. "Besides, I've got work to do around the farm, woman!"
"Oh my gosh," I laughed as I rolled my eyes. "You have lost your mind, Mr. Wallace."
"That's English to you, missy," he grinned as he pulled me to him one last time, kissing me deeply before he said, "I will miss you, Grace."
"I will miss you, too, Adam," I whispered as I looked up into his amber eyes and took a mental picture. "But I'll see you next week, and you can always call me if you get too lonely."
"I'll do that," he said as he released me and opened the bedroom door.
"Grace! The car is waiting!" Honor shouted through the screen door. "Hurry up!"
"I'm coming!" I yelled back as I detoured through the kitchen and found Verity finishing up the breakfast dishes. I reached out and grabbed her, pulling her into a tight hug as I said, "I'll be back. I promise."
"Oh, Grace, I know you will be," she said as she squeezed me tightly. "I will miss you."
"I'm coming back, Verity," I said. "I'll be back soon."
"Grace, I know you want to help," she said as she stepped back and held me at arm’s length. She wore a look of concern as she said, "You don't belong here, Grace. Don't set your sights on coming back and staying. You belong out in the world where you're free. Mamm and Dat always said that they were happiest knowing you had found freedom even though they missed you terribly."
"Verity..." I said as tears welled up.
"No, this is not the time for crying," she said, pushing me toward the door. "It's time for you to get back to the city and do your job so that you can come back and help Adam find a way to get the turbines onto the farms. Whether they know it or not, these people need that technology, Grace. They need the income and they need to be able to provide their families with opportunities, too."
I nodded as she spoke, then hugged her once more before stepping out the back door and heading to the car. Danny and Honor were crowded around the driver's window, peppering him with questions about the car and what it was like driving it from Chicago to Corner Grove. Danny held the broken phone in one hand as he typed out question after question then hit play. The driver looked relieved when I emerged from the house and headed toward him. He got out and opened the back door so I could climb in.
I rolled down the window and looked at my brother and sister. They looked so young, and for a moment I felt the emotions threatening to burst forth as I thought about how things were going to be different for them once I got back.
"You guys listen to Verity and Adam," I said. "I'll be back early next week and then we'll talk about what we're going to do about school this coming year."
"School?" Honor said wrinkling her nose. "Why do you have to ruin what's left of a perfectly good summer by talking about school?"
I laughed as the driver reminded me that we needed to get on the road. And then nodded as I said, "Fine. You enjoy your summer, but when I get back we're going to talk seriously about your education," I looked at Danny and said, "And yours too, young man."
Danny grinned at me as he gave me two thumbs up and then turned and broke into a run as he headed for the barn. Honor took off after him, yelling at him not to take her bridle or saddle. I watched them go and then looked out the window and waved at Verity and Adam who were standing on the front porch watching. They waved back as the car made a circle and headed off down the road.